The 1986 Audi 4000 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 185,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN93V0060001993-01-11152,000 affected
Defect
THE DIFFERENTIAL OIL OF THE TRANSAXLE IS LOST OVER TIME DUE TO EVAPORATION. LOW OIL LEVELS CAUSE PREMATURE BEARING AND GEAR WEAR AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE, THE VEHICLE'S DRIVE WHEELS COULDLOSE POWER. IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE FRONT WHEELS LOCK, CAUSING RAPIDDECELERATION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DRAIN AND REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR OIL WITH OIL HAVING HIGHER PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS.
EXCESSIVE WEAR OF IDLE STABILIZER COULD CAUSE IDLE FLUCTUATIONS.
Consequence
IDLE FLUCTUATIONS COULD RESULT IN UNSATISFACTORYDRIVEABILITY.
Remedy
REPLACE IDLE STABILIZER.
SEAT BELTS86V1130001986-08-188,000 affected
Defect
REAR OR FRONT RIGHT SEAT BELT LOCKS MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SEAT BELTS COULD SEPARATE IN EVENT OF HEAVY BRAKE APPLICATION OR…
Remedy
REPLACE SEAT BELTS, AS NECESSARY.
Complaints by component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
2crashes
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
1
1crashes
Total complaints4
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“While driving accelerator pad stuck to the floor, couldn't stop vehicle , and hit a tree.*ak”
“Wife parked vehicle, put in parked, vehicle still running, tried to remove key, vehicle started rolling backwards, vehicle hit tree, stopped on its own. *ak”
“Defective idle stabilizer caused vehicle to accelerate by itself, resulting in loss of control/accident prior to recall (87v-069). *ak”
“The differential grease has evaporated and there is apparent damage to the bearings and gears. Audi claims this vin does not fall under campaign #93v006000.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP87002 Opened 1986-10-30 · closed 1987-06-05
1979-86 AUDI 4000 SUDDEN ACCELERATION
1979-86 AUDI 4000 SUDDEN ACCELERATION
InvestigationEA92016 Opened 1992-05-29 · closed 1993-06-30
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationEA92028 Opened 1992-08-03 · closed 1993-02-09
TRANSMISSION FAILURES
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE92006 Opened 1992-01-17 · closed 1992-05-29
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 Audi 4000 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.